DIY [CARVEN INSPIRED] CUT OUT MINI DRESS

Taking a horrendous dress and turning it into something cute and wearable is what I love most about DIY, and all it takes is a little time and imagination. As some of you may know, I fell in love with the Carven SS12 collection, particularly the strategically placed cut outs on the dresses. I knew the triangular cut out was something I would have to try for myself.

Originally I wanted a dress with a bright print like the Carven fabrics, but was unable to find anything I liked. I snagged this pink dress from the $1 pile of my local thrift shop and thought I could use that instead. I tried the dress on when I got home and my boyfriend almost vommed, it was not flattering in any way. I was told I resembled a 'sister wife' farmer in my mid-calf length, puffed shoulder dress that was also about 4 inches too big in the waist.

Transforming this dress took a little time but not that much skill, and all of it can be done by hand if you don't have a sewing machine.

How I did it:

1. I cut the dress short and hemmed it.

2. I took the dress in at the waist by about 4 inches by sewing two thick darts in the back along the existing seam lines.

3. I then created the triangle in the front by cutting an upside down T into the front centre of the dress. I then folded the flaps of the T up and out to create the triangular opening.

4. I secured these using small stitches and then sewed the raw egde of the bottom of the T over to hem it.

5. Finally, I cut the sleeves off the dress and hemmed the new armholes.

6. I then gave the dress a really good iron, focusing on the hemmed areas.

All done! This dress is sure to get plenty of wear. I'll be donning it with some sheer spotted tights once the weather starts cooling down a bit in Hong Kong. If you like this look but don't like the exposed skin, you can always sew some sheer lace over the opening which I think would be very cute.

I hope this sort of project inspires you to be a bit imaginative with things you see in thrift stores. There's a world of possibilities once you get to grips with taking the scissors to your clothes. Happy DIYing! 

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BUY IT OR MAKE IT

You could buy it. Or you could make it. The choice is yours.

1| Bell Embellished Shoulder Bag.  Buy it or Make it - Take a small black shoulder bag with a thick strap (or add a wide rectangle of leather over the shoulder section of the strap if you need more width) and embellish with gold bells.

2| Chain Necklace. Buy It or Make it -Take two lengths of chain. Drape them around your neck and connect at the front at bust height using ribbon or thread.

3| Gold Metallic Dress. Buy It or Make it - Spray paint a mini dress with gold spray paint. Look for a brand of paint that is non toxic when dry like Krylon.

4| Feather Embellished Heels. Buy it or Make it - embellish a pair of strappy heels with colored straight feathers.

5| Fringed Platform Pumps. Buy It or Make it - Add some suede fringing to the back of some suede pumps.

6| Gold Branch Necklace. Buy It or Make it - find some soft twigs and glue together to make a collar necklace. Spraypaint with gold. Sort of like the project I did here.

My addiction to Net-a-porter is pretty obvious isn't it?

DIY at LFW - Bell Embellished Sleeves

Ahhhhh I love this sooo much. Take a white shirt and embellish the sleeves with crazy bells or buttons. So. Cool. I'm really enjoying all the LFW streetstyle that's filtering through, Londoners have such quirky style and I am sure that the next couple of days and weeks will see a heap of inspiration. I have to thank the lovely Shini of Park and Cube and Jen of the Style Crusader for the pics below, and for being my eyes on the street at Somerset House. I'm not even going to begin to describe how much I wish I was there again this season.